Fifth Avenue/53rd Street (New York City Subway)

Fifth Avenue/53rd Street (New York City Subway) is a station on the IND Queens Boulevard Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 53rd Street in Midtown Manhattan, it is served by the E train at all times and the M train on weekdays. The station opened in 1933 as part of the Independent Subway System's expansion and is a key transit point for some of New York City's most prominent cultural and commercial landmarks.

Station layout

The station contains two side platforms and two tracks, with the northbound platform serving E and M trains toward Queens and the southbound platform for E trains toward World Trade Center. Each platform has a single mezzanine above its center, with fare control areas leading to exits at the northeast and southeast corners of Fifth Avenue and 53rd Street. The station features a modern, clean design with tile banding and is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. It connects via an underground passageway to the nearby Lexington Avenue/53rd Street station, served by the IRT Lexington Avenue Line.

History

The station opened on August 19, 1933, as part of the initial segment of the IND Queens Boulevard Line from Roosevelt Avenue to Fifth Avenue, operated by the Independent Subway System. It was originally named simply "Fifth Avenue." The line's construction was a major project of the Board of Transportation of the City of New York during the Great Depression. In 1979, the station was officially renamed to its current form to clarify its location. A major renovation in the late 1990s updated its finishes and improved accessibility, including the addition of elevators.

Services

The station is served by the E train, which runs between Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer in Queens and World Trade Center in Manhattan, providing 24/7 service. The M train also stops here on weekdays, running between Middle Village–Metropolitan Avenue and Forest Hills–71st Avenue. This service pattern makes it a crucial transfer point for riders accessing the IND Sixth Avenue Line and IND Queens Boulevard Line. The station also features a free out-of-system connection to the IRT Lexington Avenue Line via the Lexington Avenue/53rd Street station.

Nearby points of interest

The station's location in the heart of Midtown Manhattan places it within walking distance of numerous iconic destinations. These include the Museum of Modern Art, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, and the Channel Gardens. The prestigious shopping corridor of Fifth Avenue is directly outside, featuring flagship stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Apple Fifth Avenue. The area is also a major corporate hub, with buildings such as the GM Building and Olympic Tower nearby, and is close to cultural institutions like the Paley Center for Media.

In popular culture

The station and its surrounding area have appeared in numerous films and television shows set in New York City. It has been featured in scenes from movies like *The French Connection* and *Ghostbusters*, often representing a quintessential Manhattan subway stop. The bustling intersection above has been used in episodes of *Law & Order* and *Seinfeld*. The station's distinctive tile walls and architectural style have made it a recognizable backdrop for portraying urban life in the United States.

Category:New York City Subway stations in Manhattan Category:Railway stations opened in 1933